Methods and systems for provisioning of telecommunications signals in moving trains

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for provisioning of telecommunications signals in moving trains. Scattering panels may be utilized for redirecting wireless signals, such as by scattering them, to provide better communication performance on the moving trains. The scattering panels may be configured to scatter the signals, such as by reflecting them. The scattering panels may be configured for operation in conjunction with a number of antennas that communicate the signals being scattered via the scattering panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A scattering panel configured for redirecting signals in a train system, the scattering panel comprising:
 a plurality of facets, wherein:
 each facet of the plurality of facets faces in a different direction to at least one other facet of the plurality of facets; 
 each facet comprises a conductive planar surface of one of a plurality of sheet-like members of the scattering panel; 
 members of the plurality of sheet-like members are coupled to one another along their edges such that facets of the plurality of facets together combine to provide a plurality of adjacent concave reflectors; 
 at least one facet of the plurality of facets comprises one or more flat planar surfaces and at least one other facet of the plurality of facets comprises a curved surface portion; and 
 at least one facet of the plurality of facets comprises shaped structures that are disposed on a surface of the at least one facet, wherein the shaped structures are configured for modifying one or more parameters relating to signals propagating over the surface in at least one direction relative to the surface. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The scattering panel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjacent concave reflectors comprises a first concave reflector and a second concave reflector; and
 wherein the first concave reflector is connected to the second concave reflector along a first intersection, along which facets of the first concave reflector and facets of the second concave reflector meet at an angle greater than 90 degrees. 
 
     
     
       3. The scattering panel of  claim 2 , wherein the second concave reflector is connected to a third concave reflector along a second intersection along which facets of the second concave reflector and facets of the third concave reflector meet at an angle greater than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The scattering panel of  claim 3 , wherein the first concave reflector is connected to an opposite edge of the second concave reflector from the third concave reflector. 
     
     
       5. The scattering panel of  claim 3 , wherein the facets of the first concave reflector that are adjacent to the first intersection extend from the first intersection in a direction that is opposite and parallel to corresponding facets of the third concave reflector adjacent to the second intersection. 
     
     
       6. The scattering panel of  claim 3 , further comprising a fourth concave reflector coupled to the third concave reflector, the fourth concave reflector comprising a first face configured to reflect signals towards the third concave reflector. 
     
     
       7. The scattering panel of  claim 6 , wherein the fourth concave reflector is shaped as an inverted triangular prism. 
     
     
       8. The scattering panel of  claim 6 , comprising a plane of symmetry along the length of the fourth concave reflector. 
     
     
       9. The scattering panel of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second intersections comprise a curved surface. 
     
     
       10. The scattering panel of  claim 1 , wherein each concave reflector from the plurality of adjacent concave reflectors comprises two facets provided by two sheet-like elements connected to one another along an edge perpendicular to at least one intersection between the concave reflector and at least one other concave reflector from the plurality of adjacent concave reflectors. 
     
     
       11. The scattering panel of  claim 10 , wherein the two sheet-like elements of each concave reflector are connected to one another at an angle less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       12. The scattering panel of  claim 1 , wherein the scattering panel is configured to reflect signals received from a first direction into a second direction transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
       13. The scattering panel of  claim 12 , wherein the scattering panel is configured to reflect signals received from a third direction parallel to the first direction, into a fourth direction transverse to the third direction. 
     
     
       14. A scattering panel comprising:
 a trapezoidal prism comprising a base, a front face and a pair of side faces, wherein each side face connects an edge of the base to an edge of the front face; 
 a pair of plate-like fins comprising a front face and a back face, the fins extending from either side of, and parallel to, the base of the trapezoidal prism; and 
 an inverted triangular prism, wherein an apex edge of the triangular prism is connected along its length to the center of the front face of the trapezoidal prism to divide the front face into a first side and a second side; 
 wherein each of the first and second sides of the front face of the trapezoidal prism, the side faces of the trapezoidal prism, and the front face of the plate-like fins comprises electrically conductive facets for reflecting signals. 
 
     
     
       15. The scattering panel of  claim 14 , wherein each side of the front face of the trapezoidal prism, the side faces of the trapezoidal prism, and the front faces of the plate-like fins, comprises a pair of reflective facets. 
     
     
       16. The scattering panel of  claim 15 , wherein each pair of facets comprises a first facet connected to a second facet of the pair along an edge, at less than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       17. The scattering panel of  claim 15 , wherein the pair of reflective facets defines a concave reflector. 
     
     
       18. The scattering panel of  claim 14 , wherein each of the side faces of the trapezoidal prism is connected to the front face along an intersection, the intersection comprising a curved ridge. 
     
     
       19. The scattering panel of  claim 14 , wherein each of the side faces of the trapezoidal prism is connected to a corresponding one of the plate-like fins. 
     
     
       20. The scattering panel of  claim 14 , wherein the triangular prism comprises a first slanted face and a second slanted face, and wherein:
 the first slanted face is configured to reflect signals towards the first side of the front face of the trapezoidal prism, and 
 the second slanted face is configured to reflect signals towards the second side of the front face of the trapezoidal prism. 
 
     
     
       21. The scattering panel of  claim 14 , wherein the inverted triangular prism and the trapezoidal prism are aligned such that the scattering panel comprises a plane of symmetry about the center of the inverted triangular prism and the trapezoidal prism.